Elephant rescued swimming 14km off Sri Lankan coast
An elephant found in the ocean has been rescued after a naval patrol boat spotted it 14km off the north coast of Sri Lanka.
In a video of the incident, the elephant is seen floating in the ocean with its trunk cocked upwards like a submarine’s periscope.
A group of rescuers, including wildlife officials, tie a rope around it as others prepare to reel it in.
Naval spokesman Chaminda Walakuluge told the Straits Times it took 12 hours to rescue the elephant.
"They usually wade through shallow waters or even swim across to take a short cut," he said.
"It is a miraculous escape for the elephant."
The elephant was reportedly gently towed to shallow waters.
According to The Mirror, elephants are known to swim up to 46km and are comfortable in water.
Mr Walakuluge said the animal had likely got swept into the sea while crossing the Kokkilai lagoon, a large stretch of water that lies between two areas of jungle.
